Driving on the Left Side: Countries and Malta’s Unique Rules

Driving on the left side of the road is a practice observed in several countries around the world, including Malta. While most people are familiar with the fact that England follows this rule, the reasons behind this tradition date back centuries. Some archaeologists suggest that even the Romans drove their carts on the left side, and this practice influenced many regions in the world today.

Historical Background of Left-Side Driving

We all know that in England, they drive on the left side. We won’t delve into the historical reasons for this, as that would require us to go back hundreds, even thousands, of years. Some archaeologists claim that the Romans also drove their carts on the left side and that Roman legions marched on the left as well.

Thus, driving on the left side became common practice, and in some places, it was even mandated by law. However, in the 18th century, large carriages pulled by several pairs of horses became popular. These carriages did not have a seat for the “driver,” who instead sat on the rear left horse, allowing him to control all the horses more easily with a whip in his right hand.

The Shift to Right-Side Driving

But because of this position—remember, they were driving on the left side of the road while sitting on the left—he didn’t have a good view of the horses (or oxen) on the right side. This made encounters with oncoming traffic potentially dangerous, similar to driving a car with the steering wheel on the right side in Serbia.

These enormous horse-drawn carriages were particularly popular across the vast expanses of America, so Pennsylvania was the first state to legally dictate in 1792 that traffic would travel on the right side of the road. Soon, many parts of what are now the United States and Canada adopted this rule. In France, a decree in 1792 mandated that traffic must keep to the right side of the road, including all French “territories” and colonies.

The British Empire and Left-Side Driving

When, in the 18th century, a law was passed that required all traffic on the bridges in London to drive on the left side to avoid congestion, this rule was adopted throughout the British Empire. This meant it was followed in numerous colonies and other territories under English control across several continents.

Throughout the 20th century, there was a desire to harmonize traffic regulations across Europe, but the British had no intention of changing their habits. The last European country to abandon driving on the left side was Sweden—this change occurred as recently as 1967.

Countries That Drive on the Left

Overall, although there is a general perception that countries where driving is on the left side are quite rare, there are significantly more than one might expect.

Countries in Europe

For example, in Europe, driving on the left occurs in:

The United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland (67 million residents)
Ireland (5,150,000 residents)
The Channel Islands (in the English Channel) – Jersey and Guernsey (172,000 residents)
The Isle of Man (84,000 residents)
Cyprus (925,000 residents)
Malta (540,000 residents) – In Malta, the unique driving experience is complemented by narrow streets and a blend of Mediterranean charm, making it essential for drivers to be cautious and aware of their surroundings.